Helena (CA 75) - Naval Cruise Book

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LC C.O QVA Depart Long Beach. .16 July 1958 Pearl Harbor 21-24 July Yokosuka 3-18 August Keelung 21-23 August Koohsiung 23-24 August BLckner Bay 1 September Keelung 5-6 September Keelung 9 September Buckner Bay 13 September Keelung 14 September Keelung 21 September Buckner Bay 27-29 September Keelung 2 October Subic Bay 5-9 October Bombay Reef 10 October Hong Kong 11 October Buckner Bay 16 October Yokosuka 19-21 October Yokosuka 26 October — 3 November Buckner Bay 5-6 November Buckner Bay 8-11 November Iwakuni 16-18 November Yokosuka 1 9-28 November Hong Kong 1-9 December Manila 12—14 December Keelung 15-17 December Yokosuka 20 December- 4 January 1959 Nagoya 5—6 January Osaka 7-9 January Kobe 9—12 January Kagoshimo 16—18 January Sosebo 1 8-20 January Moji 21-23 January Beppu 23-25 January Yokosuka 26 January — 4 February Long Beach 16 February x x i iN.

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SHIPS HISTORY U.S.S. HELENA (CA-75) is a heavy cruiser of the Baltimore class. Named after the capital city of the State of Montana, she is the third ship to bear the famous name, carrying on a tradition that began over sixty years ago. The first HELENA was a gunboat built in the years 1894-96. This l400-tcn vessel has a record of more than thirty years of distinguished service, highlighted by her participation in the Spanish-American War and Philippine Campaign. SS; was given a well-earned discharge from her country ' s force, and her name was stricken from the Navy Register in 1932. The second HELENA, a light cruiser, was launched in 1939. She received damages in the Pearl Harbor attack, but returned to a very active and successful year of trading blows with the Japanese fleet in the South Pacific. • ' . ' . ' In 1943, she valiantly sailed down the restricted and sub- marine-infested waters of Kula Gulf under the terrific torpedo and gun fire of the enemy. Her blazing guns aided in the destruc- tion of a vastly superior enemy naval force before she was fatally struck by a Japanese torpedo. Sunk on July 7, 1943, she had blazed a trail which led her to win, posthumously, the Navy Unit Commendation for service of outstanding heroism in action against the enemy. After the present HELENA ' S launching on April 28, 1945, she embarked upon a shakedown cruise through the Caribbean Sec and then continued on a good will cruise that carried her around the globe. In 1948, HELENA was designat- ed as Flagship for Cruiser Divi- sion Three and, soon afterward, steamed for the Far East. In the some year, HELENA was awarded the coveted Navy Battle Efficiency Award and the Morjorie Sterrett Bnttleship Award for the Best Cruiser in the Navy. When the Korean conflict broke out, HELENA had only recently returned to th? United States. Quickly replenished and renrmed, she was ordered to support United Nations Forces. As a unit of Task Force 77. HELENA clob- bered the enemy, receiving only a minor direct hit from the enemy shore batteries of Wonsan. After the Korean war, HELENA continued her duties in the Far East and soon became Flagship for Commander SEVENTH Fleet. A tradition of outstanding service and gallant battle has been hand- ed down through the years with the proud name of HELENA. In recent years, this has been upheld and strengthened so that this mighty ship ' s reputation remains one of smartness a reputation dear to each of the many men who call HELENA my ship.